Chapter 16

We ended up back at the Emerald Grove bloody, battered but victorious. It felt good to walk through the gates of the grove again, to see the tieflings already packing for their journey. With no leadership to guide them the goblins will scatter. Zevlor came down from his guard position to speak to us. "It would seem you did it. My scouts are saying the goblin leaders have been decimated, we may escape this place yet. And you've rescued the druid" Zevlor said turning to Halsin, "It is good to see you again Archdruid."

"The pleasure is all mine Zevlor…" Halsin lowered his head slightly in shame, "I apologise for how Kagha and the rest of my grove have treated your people, if I had been here it never would have happened. But that does not absolve me of blame."

"It's over now, your saviour ensured that." Zevlor turned back to me, a weak but warm smile reaching his lips "Thank you Harry Dresden. I took a collection from all of us. It wasn't much but it's what we can spare." Zelvor handed me a sack filled with gold. I tried to refuse it, but he wouldn't allow it. Pride is a hard thing to lose and Zevlor lost a bit by asking me to save his people for him. I shouldn't take more of it by refusing payment. I shook his hand as he said, "Perhaps we need not speak of farewells just yet. We'll join you in your camp tonight to celebrate if you'll have us."

"Of course, make your way there and we'll catch up with you," I said smiling widely and feeling it for the first time since coming to this dimension.

Zevlor nodded and directed his people out of the grove. The caves and tunnels of the grove suddenly seemed all too quiet with their absence. Staring at the empty cave, Halsin approached me, "I owe you, all of you, thanks as well. The grove still stands. Nature prevails. I am in your debt. Many times over now."

"That's fine. You can repay us by guiding us to Moonrise Towers." I said seriously.

"Of course, tomorrow morning we will discuss what is to come. But for now, go to your camp and enjoy your victory. I will be there before long; I need to discuss some matters with the grove first."

I nodded farewell to Halsin, and we made our way back to camp to celebrate a great victory.

By the time the tieflings arrived at our camp night had fallen. The celebration took little time to go into full swing, wine and ale were handed out gingerly and with great enthusiasm. And while the booze didn't hold a candle to Mac's brew, it was good to feel fire go down into my belly while I partied with the people I saved and the friends I saved them with. An uncharacteristically good day.

Slightly drunkenly I walked over to Gale who was staring at the sky glass of wine in his hand. "A beautiful night, don't you think? Nothing like a brush with destruction to make you appreciate the majesty of the celestial canvas." Gale said turning his wonderous attention to me. "It's a view I once would have shared with my companion. Though definitely unaccompanied by such revelry. She preferred it when we were alone, curled up before a crackling hearth with ancient, esoteric tome between us, ink glinting in the firelight…"

"Missing Tara?" I asked knowingly

"Yes… how did you know I was talking about her and not some old flame?" Gale asked humorously

"Your last girlfriend was the goddess of magic. I'm guessing Mystra wasn't the 'staycation' type. Also, you're pretty much describing my downtime with Mister. He'd usually sit on my lap and purr like a broken radiator while I read, Mouse just next to me to catch some head scratches and…" A pang of hurt kicked my heart as I stopped myself before I continued the thought because sometimes Maggie would read next to me while trying to catch a peak at whatever spell tome or case file I was working on, she'd gotten interested in my line of work even more as she aged to puberty.

"And what?" Gale asked concerned at my souring mood.

"And nothing, just homesick," I said in a half-truth.

"I know the feeling I miss my tower, my books, my tressum. The comforts and familiarities of home aren't really appreciated until they are out of reach."

"I know, my home once got burnt down. Never missed my dingy basement home more than when I saw go up in smoke."

"That must have been awful, is that the same fire you got hurt in?"

"Yeah… wait I didn't tell you that story."

"Harry you weren't exactly whispering it when you told Wyll your tale and my tent is only a few steps away."

Embarrassment flushing my cheeks I asked, "Does anyone else know?"

"I'm not sure, probably. It's not that big of a concern. We have brain parasites threatening to turn us into mindflayers, a cult of mindflayer worshippers, who don't know their mindflayer worshippers and a mysterious magical guardian offering us power for unknown goals. Having two warlocks in the party is the least of our problems."

A sigh of both frustration and relief exits my clenched teeth. "Thanks for that. My home is less accepting of my situation, and I'm not exactly proud of it either most of the time."

Gale gave me a companionate squeeze on the shoulder, "If there is one thing I know is shame for a mistake. After my condition, I locked myself in my tower for a year. I was inconsolable, wallowing in my self-inflicted tragedy. I'd given up, but Tara didn't. It was her encouragement and research that led me forward and stopped me from… doing something altogether worse." Gale said a sad stare going down to his feet. He shook himself out of his slump and continued, "What I'm trying to say is, don't follow my mistake. You are a good man Harry and thus far a very good friend. Your patron and your power do not define you."

I damn near got choked up at that before pulling back and cracking wise, "How many glasses have you had Dekarious?"

Gale laughed and said, "Perhaps too many, I'm getting sentimental. Yet I believe I'll still have some more if you'll excuse me." Gale then walked off towards the dwindling wine and ale boxes.

Moving on through my companions I noticed Wyll was absent from his tent. Shrugging it off I went to see Lae'zel who was downing some ale out of a tankard. When she noticed me, Lae'zel did something I had seldom seen, she smiled. "I have seen the kith'raki tear screaming neogi's legs from its belly to fashion blades. Yet they could not match your nerve today. It was enough to drive me to madness. I smell their blood on you still. I smell your sweat. I mean to taste it."

I quickly considered a possible oral or cannibalistic fixation before realising the gith woman was hitting on me. The winter mantle, and admittedly a part of myself seriously considered taking her up on her offer. She was beautiful, in a scary exotic, might kill me after or during the deed type of way but, since when has that stopped my libido from giving suggestions? But she was also cold, cruel and by the sound of her tone she wasn't looking for anything long-term, and casual isn't something I go in for. Me and Lae'zel could be good friends one day, that cold exterior likely held something less thorny. But lovers weren't in the cards. "Sorry, I'm not interested."

Lae'zel gave me a scowl, "Your loss wizard, I will simply find another to sate my appetites. While you will spend eternity wondering what might have been." With that she dismissed me.

Moving on from that awkward encounter I ran into Astarion, gulping down wine straight from the bottle, he toasted me as I came by, "I never saw myself as a hero. Never thought I'd be the one they toast for saving so many lives. And now that I'm here…" Astarion took another swig from the bottle, "I hate it. It's awful."

"Oh, lighten up sour fangs, we did the right thing and saved the day. Enjoy yourself." I said slapping Astarion on the arm

"Yes, and what do we get for all our hard work, a pat on the head and vinegar for wine." Astarion said sulkily.

I snatched the wine bottle from Astarion's hands and gulped some down. A heavy rich red- dry and sharp. "Wine tastes fine to me," I said a drunken chuckle touching my tone.

"Well, you enjoy it, darling. I for one just want a little fun. Is that too much to ask?"

"Knowing you, probably."

"Don't be so sour. I can have a good time as much as anyone." Astarion said an idea dawning on his face. "Speaking of. Now that I've experienced the thrill of drinking from thinking creatures. Thanks to some rather nasty raiders who tried to rob the camp whilst you were away. I was wondering how you and the others might taste."

"I'm searching for where the fun part begins Astarion." I said, a warning tone in the statement.

"Oh, don't get your robes in a twist wizard, our agreement still stands. You can't fault me for being curious. Take Gale, for example. He strikes me as someone whose blood is rich, refined like a well-aged brandy. But the gith? What in the hells would she taste like?"

The alcohol was definitely getting to my head because I actually answered the crazy-ass question, "Something exotic probably."

"Mmm, like an Amnan liquor. That gives me some ideas." Astarion said looking over to Lae'zel before returning his attention to me, "I was wondering if you were like me, who would you taste?" Astarion asked equal parts humour and longing desire in his voice.

I thought about it before saying "I'd probably risk Karlach, always was partial to spicy food."

"A brave choice, but all this talk is getting me hungry so if you'll excuse me." Astarion then walked over to Lae'zel and began talking. Guess they'll both be sating some appetites tonight. I don't know which one I should be more worried for.

Wanting some less… hungry company I went over to Karlach. She was standing by her tent, leaning on one of the spokes that kept it up. She was just watching her fellow partying tieflings with a smile on her face, a far more peaceful and satisfied one than the excited or enticed grin I've seen since meeting the burly woman. That smile widened further when Karlach noticed me walking to her tent.

"Would you look at this place? All these people- happy because of us. It's nice to be somewhere where good is still possible. And with good potations too." Karlach said greedily chugging down some ale.

"Fighting the good fight can have its good days. Stars and stones, if we didn't need a big win after all the illithid nonsense lately." I said breathing a sigh of relief before taking another swig of wine."

"Fuck yes. These folks' bright future is a great big win. One to celebrate with our victory and friendship." Karlach boasted inviting me to clink bottles with her. I accepted and we both drained our bottles.

I wiped wine from my chin and through a burp asked, "Did you have any parties down in Avernus?"

"Not so much. You spend the whole time avoiding swords and schemes. Plus, people just get nastier as the night went on."

"Sounds like a party in Fairy to me. Every step must be measured, every interaction needs to be chosen carefully because all of them are either plotting something or gathering information for future plotting. Every moment is excruciating because most of the guests are monsters who I would have hunted back before becoming the Winter Knight." I said mentally kicking myself for revealing my title.

"The Winter Knight?" Karlach asked

"It's what my patron calls me," I said sheepishly.

"Oh… I never got a cool nickname while working for Zariel, aside from the general jabs names like dog or pet."

"Yeah, I got some of those too. Mostly from some former allies. Usually along the lines of monster or traitor." I said the bitterness making my words harder than I meant them to be.

"Well, you've got better allies now. Friends who see that those names are rubbish."

I smiled at my friend and responded, "So do you."

"Thank the gods and I do every day." Karlach said returning my grin in kind, "Speaking of friends. Have you seen Wyll around?"

"Umm… no. He wasn't at his tent; I assumed he went off to pee or something."

"He went off somewhere when the people from the grove arrived and I haven't seen him around since, I'm a bit worried."

"Then why haven't you gone looking?" I asked staring at her knowingly.

"Well… I've just been busy…"

"Trying to figure out a way to tell Wyll you like him," I said cutting her off and causing her firey cheeks to blush.

"No... that's not… Stupid mind melding tadpoles." Karlach muttered embarrassed.

I let out a quick chuckle, "Karlach, even without the worms, you two are about as subtle as a fire-breathing elephant. So, I'll go look for him. And stop worrying so much fire girl, our fates are looking too grim to be hesitating in matters like this."

Karlach looked back at me with a smaller smile, "Thanks soldier, and you're right, it's looking too dark feel nervous about letting a bit of light in." I gave her one last encouraging grin and went off to find Wyll.

Surprisingly he wasn't that hard to find. Wyll was standing by the water, on the beach just next to the party. He cringed slightly when he saw me walk over to him. "Ah, Hells! I was hoping you wouldn't notice I was gone."

"Just came over to make sure my signature brooding wizard vibe wasn't being stolen. Seems like it has, since you're hiding from the people you just saved, Blade of Frontiers."

Wyll let out a light chuckle that was only slightly humorous, "I didn't want to put a shadow over everyone's night. I'm a devil. I love the people of the grove, but I unsettle them deep down. As I seem to unsettle everyone nowadays. You don't want a devil at your party. Horns this sharp will pop the balloons, you see. And the guests won't take kindly to scars quite so monstrous."

I let out a breath to release the frustration before it mixed with my words, "Wyll. This is what Mizora wants, why she gave you those horns. She wants you to isolate yourself, to weaken your relationships. So that all you have is the pact."

"I know Harry. But it's not that easy. To go out there and face them."

"Never said it was easy. It's just the only way forward for guys like us." I said emphasizing our shared situation.

"I'm sorry Harry. I just can't, not tonight anyway. Give me till morning and I'll be myself again. I promise."

"Fine, if that's how you wanna play it I'll respect it." I said beginning to walk away, "If that was the only reason you're sulking out here."

Wyll raised an eyebrow, "That is the only reason."

"Haha. No, it's not." I chuckled, "If tonight isn't the best time to talk to her Wyll I don't know when is?"

"Talk to wh… Karlach." Wyll said realising.

"Karlach" I agreed.

"It's that simple Harry. She's…"

"Beautiful, tough, loyal, sweet and probably one the most badass fighters I've ever seen," I said interrupting his repeat of self-pity.

"Yes, all of that, and also covered in a fire that I can't touch. Whilst I am locked in a soul-binding pact with the right hand of the devil who did it to her." Wyll said flatly.

"An issue that could very well be resolved by Dammon once we get that infernal iron to him, and you won't burst into flames if you tell her how you feel."

"Even if, and it's a rather large if. The timing isn't right. We're in the middle of what could be a major plot if they've taken my father."

I rubbed at my eyebrows in frustration and contemplation. "Have I told you about Murphy yet?"

Wyll's annoyed look sobered slightly, "Your lover. Not directly but I've heard around the camp. She died recently?"

"Yeah, a year ago. And we were only really together for a little over that. Do you know why?" I spat with self-loathing scorn. "The timing wasn't right. We were friends for years and in love for nearly all of it but we never pursued it. And then we did… and then she died." I said, my voice cracking at the mention of Murphy's fate. "So, take it from an expert. Fuck timing, it's never going to be perfect, and we all might be dead in the next few days… Also if you don't talk to her I'm going go around camp clucking and calling you the gutless horned chicken."

Wyll let out a genuine but strained laugh at that, before giving me an ultimatum, "Very well. How about this, I'll do it if you do it."

I looked at my horned friend confused, "Talk to Karlach?"

Wyll rolled his eyes, "No you twit. Go talk to Shadowheart. It's clear there's… some between you two."

I didn't even bother denying it. I hadn't been much more subtle than Wyll and Karlach, but there were complications. Shadowheart was a cleric of the god most likely to have taken my daughter and even if she wasn't involved, I doubt she'll be happy if I have to take up arms against Shar. And the timing… Hells bells. Pot met kettle. I was dallying about the details as much as Wyll. As much as Shadowheart was her beliefs, she was so much more. Smart, witty, kind and caring. And absolutely gorgeous. "Fine. I'll go talk to Shadow if you talk to Karlach." We shook on it and went on to complete the task.

I walked up the hill to Shadowheart's tent. She was sipping from a goblet, watching the festivities from afar, content. She was wearing her usual low-cut casual outfit that was making my various glands react even more since I was making an effort to talk to her about our… connection. She smiled when she saw me, raised her glass and said, "Everyone seems to be in high spirits. Strange… you know who I never thought I'd find myself caring for?"

I thought about the contented look on her face as she watched the party, "The refugees."

"Exactly right. Never gave them much thought. Certainly not that bunch in the grove. Yet we came through for them. We saved their lives. Odd."

"Not so odd. It was the right, and it felt good."

"That's more easily said than others. But nobody is here to debate right from wrong. Share a bottle with me?" Shadowheart asked lips curling up into an inviting and enticing smile.

"I'd love to," I said giving a smirk of my own.

"We should wait a little while. Until the others have drifted off."

"I'll come find you then," I said leaning in closer to her.

"Best not keep me waiting. I'd prefer not to entertain myself. Shadowheart said practically whispering it into my ear.

It was difficult to pull away from her, but I managed it. I spent a few more hours drinking and chatting with the tieflings. Apparently the wizard tiefling Roland, was going to stay with them and his siblings until they got to Baldurs Gate. As the night grew later, I spied Karlach heading into Wyll's tent. It would seem the Blade had honoured his word, time to return the favour.

I went by Shadowheart's tent, and she led me to a cliff edge overlooking the forest near camp. We sat down on the cold earth and started drinking good wine in each other's company. "So, do you have anything in mind for this beautiful evening? Aside from the bottle." I asked.

"Well, to begin, I think a toast is in order. Any suggestions?"

Time to be direct, "To us." I said trying my best to look at her cheeks as I couldn't look in her eyes.

"Bold. What does 'us' entail? I suppose I'll find out. To us." Shadowheart said as we raised our goblets and drank.

"Now tell me something about yourself. And no tadpoles, dragons, marauding goblins, or anything like that. Something about you." Shadowhert asked, a warm and open smile on her face.

Well, make or break time Dresden, "Well… if the subtext of this evening is what I hope it is. You should know I'm kind of… married." I said my hedging words attempting to claw their way back into my mouth.

Shadowheart raised an eyebrow, "It was arranged. I don't love or even particularly like Lara Raith. Hells bells we were spending our honeymoon on different continents before I got swept up in this mindflayer mess."

Shadowheart's eyebrow went up higher and then she burst out laughing. "Haha. You look like you're about to explode Harry." She said laughing even harder before calming down, "I'm not worried about that. I was raised to see relationships as more fluid than that." She said a wicked smile forming from her laughing face. I smiled in kind.

"So, the marriage. Was it your patron who sent it up?" Shadowheart asked.

I rolled my eyes. "I really wasn't that discrete, was I?"

"No, you weren't. But if it's any consolation. Finding out secrets is my divine calling so it wouldn't have mattered much."

"It doesn't..., but thanks anyway," I said sulkily.

"Wait, if your patron arranged the marriage. How did you get out of the honeymoon?"

"Oh, my apprentice was able to negotiate my release by technicality."

"How did a mere apprentice manage to negotiate a fairy lord?"

Shit. Don't get into personal conversations while tipsy Harry. You say things you shouldn't. "Molly got into some power in fairy courts due to helping me during a job."

"Hmm, good for her."

"No. Not at all. She was given power and fairy court positioning without her consent and has been trapped in it because she was helping me." I said annoyance barely hiding my shame.

"Alright, alright. Tell me something else about yourself. Something brighter." Shadowheart said placatingly.

I tried to think of something positive in my life. The first thought was Maggie, a combination of joy and worry wretch at my belly. Can't tell her that. Not yet. So went with my second thought. "I love magic."

Shadowheart let out a snort. "I managed to pick that up, wizard."

"I know but I really love it. Every aspect of it, the moving of energies, the anticipation before using a spell, the calmness of research, the smell and feel of potions. And it's not about power. Magic to me is… life. It's sunlight, lightning, the wind through my hair. It's everything. And it needs to be used for the preservation of life."

Shadowheart chuckled and said, "Who would have thought? The wizard who wants to be 'religiously neutral' has faith."

"Faith isn't always central to just religion my dear cleric."

"I suppose not, at least you aren't a faithless heathen."

"So… I've just spilled a whole bunch about me. Your turn." I said pointing my goblet at her.

"Don't laugh… but I'm not quite sure I have anything to share. When you worship Shar, secrecy is everything. We'll sacrifice our own memories when ordered to. A lot of the little things are lost to me right now."

I smiled at Shadowheart reassuringly. "Well, that's not quite true Shadow. You like night orchids and you can't swim. Told me yourself."

"Heh, I did? And you remembered. You're sweet." Shadowheart said a warmness in her tone. "There's still plenty of wine and the whole night ahead of us."

We sat there for a while longer, listening to the sounds of the forest and water, drinking wine and looking at each other from time to time. Finally, we were lying on our backs looking at the stars when she said, "Nearly light. The others will be awake soon."

Instead of talking, I looked at her, almost in the eyes, half staring at her piercing and beautiful emerald pupils.

"What?" Shadowheart asked.

It was late and I was drunk, so I went with the simple answer, "You're beautiful."

"I know. But you're sweet to notice. Thank you for last night."

"I hope there's more to come," I said dreamily.

"Me too." Shadowheart agreed, and in her eyes, I saw an invitation.

It had been a long and difficult few days. So much pain and fear. I was so tired, body and spirit. And… Karen has been gone for a long time. I kissed her, and it felt good.

"That didn't hurt did it?" Shadowheart asked.

I smiled a warm and satisfied grin, "Not at all."

"Good to know for the future…" Shadowheart drolled. "Let's head back if we must." And unfortunately, we did. Leaving this beautiful night, to face the dawn.